Liav Orgad: The cultural defence of nations. A liberal theory of majority rights

The article is a review of the scientific monograph of Liav Orgad «The cultural defence of nations. A liberal theory of majority rights» (Oxford, University Press, 2015. 273 pp.). The present review summarizes the provisions, in which the author of the monograph under review analyzes the approaches of modern states to address the problem of preservation of national identity in the face of the threat posed by large migration flows. It also offers an assessment of the conclusions made by the author of the monograph under review as a result of observing of national legislation from the standpoint of constitutionalism, in particular, coming to the conclusion that in the present conditions developed states are often «forced» to abandon the democratic values, which in itself is absurd. The author of the monograph under review also makes an attempt to justify the need to protect «the rights of the majority», along with «minority rights», relying on fundamental international instruments for the protection of human rights, which is also reflected in this article. The monograph endeavors to define the concept of «national identity» and what it means for each individual state using the example of such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United States of America - this review provides a summary and critical evaluation of key points put forward by the author of the monograph under review in this regard.

cultural rights, majority groups, national identity, constitutional theory, human rights